African Union’s Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU/IBAR) Jobs: Epidemiologist

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources
(AU/IBAR)

The African Union’s Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU/IBAR) is a specialized technical office reporting to the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the AU Commission.

The institution is mandated to support and coordinate the improvement of livestock as a resource for human wellbeing in the Member States of the African Union and contribute to economic development, particularly in rural areas.

AU/IBAR approaches livestock development from three strategic angles: animal health, animal production and trade and marketing of animals and animal products.

Vacancy Announcement: Epidemiologist

AU/IBAR is seeking the services of an Epidemiologist to strengthening the IBAR Regional Animal Health Centre’s (RAHC’s) capacity in training, monitoring and evaluation of several projects being implemented at the national level.

Post Level: P3 Step 5 (USD 5,979.02—6,941.80 pm)
Immediate Supervisor: Regional Coordinator, AU-IBAR Bamako
Type: Short term contract
Deadline for Applications: 22 November 2009

Duty Station: Bamako/Mali

The initial appointment will be for 12 months including a 3 months probation period. Contract extension will be subject to performance and availability of funding.

Major duties and responsibilities

The epidemiologist will conduct the following duties and responsibilities:

• Assess the epidemiological situation in West and Central Africa (Chad, Cameroon and Central African Republic) from available documentation and field missions and make a comprehensive analysis in a country basis
• Monitor the ARIS database in West Africa in collaboration with communication unit at AU/IBAR in Nairobi and gather and report regularly to IBAR the zoo-sanitary situation of AU Member States in the sub-region.
• Establish and regularly update a database of various global and specific indicators on the animal health situation, particularly contagious animal diseases
• Assist the Regional Coordinator AU-IBAR in the management and monitoring of various projects in animal health systems that have been implementing in countries by AU-IBAR
• Participate in the facilitation of interdisciplinary policy dialogue in the field of animal health by involving key players in various countries to share information, receive feedback and identify ways for cooperation.
• Assisting the Regional Coordinator AU-IBAR (in an advisory function) in the collection, processing and reporting in the field of animal health and monitoring of projects.
• Monitoring and evaluation of programs at the country level, collection of regional data and preparation of reports to AU-IBAR
• Develop programs and provide training to countries in the field of epidemiology
• Assist countries to improve their disease surveillance system in collaboration with the partners at the RAHC, the commission of UEMOA and the department of agriculture, environment and water resources of ECOWAS
• Facilitate the organization of regional meetings of national surveillance networks
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisors.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in animal health.
• A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A PhD is an added advantage.

Experience

• Seven (7) years proven working experience in veterinary epidemiology. This experience should include a minimum of 3 years relevant experience in development projects at the international level.
• A working experience in West Africa and Central Africa is an added advantage.

Competencies

• Professionalism - Proven expertise in animal production science, policy formulation and advocacy related to animal production and sustainable development; demonstrated in-depth technical knowledge and proven analytical skills on issues related to animal production and sustainable development;
• Planning and organising - Proven ability to plan and organise work within a project; ability to make timely decisions;
• Communication - Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view.
• Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organisational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.
• Judgement/Decision-making - Good judgement and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact, ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve institution’s goals.

Language Requirement

• Proficiency in one of the African Union’s working languages.
• Knowledge of other working languages would be an added advantage.

Other Skills

• Well-developed computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet applications and use of the Internet are required.
• Record of relevant publications is highly desirable.

How to apply

Submit your CV including three references and a motivation letter to the Director at applications @ au-ibar.org clearly indicating in the subject line the position you are applying for. Certified copies of relevant qualifications will be requested at later stage and only short-listed candidates will be notified.

For more information on AU/IBAR and the position visit www.au-ibar.org

AU/IBAR is an equal opportunity employer.

Subscribe Today and Get Job alerts In Your Email Daily.

People who read this post also read :